'Lost continent' discovered beneath Mauritius

Scientists have found strong evidence of an ancient continent hidden deep beneath the Indian Ocean.

Believed to be the remnants of the supercontinent known as Gondwana which formed around 500 million years ago, this hidden landmass was discovered by scientists studying minerals on Mauritius.

The island itself only came in to existence around 9 million years ago following a series of volcanic eruptions, but now the discovery of zircons there ( a type of durable mineral found in granite ) has suggested that something much older lies deep beneath it.

"Earth is made up of two parts - continents, which are old, and oceans, which are 'young'," said study lead author Professor Lewis Ashwal. "On the continents you find rocks that are over four billion years old, but you find nothing like that in the oceans, as this is where new rocks are formed."

"Mauritius is an island, and there is no rock older than 9 million years old on the island. However, by studying the rocks on the island, we have found zircons that are as old as 3 billion years."

Gondwana was long-lasting. Detrital zircons from Gondwana itself seems about right. Inheritance, ya know? God knows there is enough ancient material there. I zapped some 2.7 Ga zircons from one of the Gondwana continents a little while back. Once I get back inside a paywall I'll try to find the paper. Oops. It's available online now. Ah. Between Madagascar and Southern India - particularly the Dharwar. That'll get you those ages, certainly.